Article
Assessing the Safety of Utility-Owned Smart Grid Equipment
One of the biggest frontiers in electrical engineering today is the development and implementation of smart grid technology. Fueled by the global demand for greener technologies and alternative fuels, environmentally-friendly smart grid technology has the ability to stimulate stagnated economies. It can change the way utilities deliver power to electricity consumers around the world.
Smart grid technology combines existing electrical infrastructure with digital technologies and advanced applications. It provides much more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective energy distribution. It’s a merger of power systems, information technology, telecommunications, switchgear, and local power generation, along with other fields. As these separate technologies become merged, new safety considerations must be taken into account.
Ever since the days of Thomas Edison, people have been concerned with the safety of electrical devices. As innovative technologies and new opportunities and safety issues arise, the National Electrical Safety Code® (NESC®) evolves to address any and all concerns.
The NESC Evolves with Advancing Technology
As plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and full electric vehicles (EVs) replace gasoline-only burning vehicles, public parking lots will need to be equipped with outdoor charging stations. This includes pay-for-use charging stations. These stations will integrate technologies such as electrical metering, switching, information technology, telecommunications, and currency handling technology.
Safety comes into play in making the charging station terminals safe for unskilled drivers to use. It also involves guarding against intentional access to hazardous voltages, as well as protecting communication circuits. This may mean putting telecommunication protectors at each end of a campus-run communication conductor, where an exposure to lightning or accidental contact with electric power conductors exists.
Vehicle charging stations are just one example of how advances in technology lead to NESC updates.
Stay on Top of the NESC
The safety of utility-owned smart grid equipment within power generation or transmission circuits continues to be evaluated. This evaluation includes the service conductors to customer buildings. Professionals conduct the work in accordance with basic utility safety standards or codes, including NESC.
To help your company prepare to comply with the latest safety guidelines, IEEE offers a complete seven-course NESC program online through IEEE Xplore :
- Introduction to the National Electrical Safety Code
- Changes to the NESC 2017 Edition
- Introduction to Grounding
- Work Rules for the Operation of Electric Supply and Communications Lines and Equipment
- Rules for Installation and Maintenance of Electric Supply Stations
- NEW! Safety Rules of the Installation and Maintenance of Underground Electric Supply
- NEW! Safety Rules for Installation and Maintenance of Overhead Electric Supply
Order the complete program today and stay on top of the critical tech issues affecting the industry.
Resources
Gies, Don. (1 Mar 2014). Safety Considerations for Smart Grid Technology Equipment. In Compliance.
Tuesday, 24th April 2018